Progressive Political Cooperative Could Win Over 50% of GA Candidates' Primary Races in RI

Progressive Political Cooperative Could Win Over 50% of GA Candidates' Primary Races in RI

The slate of endorsed candidates by the progressive Rhode Island Political Cooperative (RIPC) for the General Assembly could emerge victorious in over 50% of its primacy races -- with many still too close to call due to mail ballots.

The cooperative was launched September 2019 by former gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown and co-chairs Jennifer Rourke and Jeanine Calkin, to provide infrastructure and support to candidates who support RIPC's platform of fighting for a $15 minimum wage, a green new deal, and single-payer healthcare.

And as GoLocal reported in 2019, Matt Brown’s Recently Launched Political Cooperative Is Making Top Democrats Nervous.

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"I'm not surprised," said RI GOP Chair Sue Cienki, of the pending results. "The Democratic Leadership made a tactical error by having the General Assembly go missing [during coronavirus]."

In total, RIPC endorsed six House candidates and nine Senate candidates who had Democratic primary opponents in 2020.

With 100% of in-person precinct reporting in -- and mail ballots still to be counted -- RIPC could emerge victorious in over half those races, including big wins by Tiara Mack over Senator Harold Metts -- who has served in the Senate since 2004 in Providence, and Cynthia Mendes over Senate Finance Chair Bill Conley in Pawtucket and East Providence. 

SEE CURRENT RACE RESULTS BELOW

"They let the governor take control and let her take the fault," said Cienki of the Democratic leadership in the General Assembly this past year. "They were not overseeing, not questioning the Governor. That’s why I felt there was an anti-incumbency wave."

Democratic State Senator Sam Bell, considered to be the leading progressive in the state Senate, turned back a challenge from Providence City Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan on Tuesday. Bell said he viewed the progressive movement as "opposition to the machine, not incumbency," as he defended his seat.

"I believe people appreciated the job I did fighting back against the conservative machine running the state so poorly," said Bell. 

"I think Rhode Islanders have always been progressive, and the message has always resonated," said Bell. "I think progressives are getting more engaged and running better races, and it helps we have built more of a movement."

Cienki, disagreed, however. 

"I think most people [in Rhode Island] aren’t in that progressive mold," said Cienki.  "I think most people are looking at their inability to live here. Our small businesses are not being supported — look at the Governor not distributing the [federal] CARES Act money. Young people are leaving because there are no job opportunities. We don’t like the way the state is going."

"I'm urging our candidates to get out, and let voters know what they stand for," said Cienki. "I give the progressives credit. They are working hard to win over voters."

RIPC Breakdown

Below are the RIPC endorsed candidates, and the status of their races as of Thursday morning, with all precincts reporting -- but not mail ballots. 

House

Brandon Potter: House District 16 - Cranston. Leading incumbent Christopher Millea 529 to 362 — 59.4% to 40.6%

Brianna Henries: House District 64 - East Providence. Leading incumbent Joe Serodio 398 to 230 — 63.4% to 36.6%

Michelle McGaw: House District 71 - Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton. Leading John Edwards V 620 to 172 - 78.3% to 21.7% 

Miguel Torres: House District 38 - Hopkinton, Westerly. Trailing Speaker Pro Temp Brian Patrick Kennedy 149 to 239 - 38.4% to 61.6% 

Megan Cotter: No primary.

Moira Walsh: Trailing challenger Nathan Biah 148 to 360 - 29.1% to 70.9% (Walsh has conceded).

Nicholas Delmenico: House District 27 — Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry. Trailing incumbent Pat Serpa 209 to 463 -  31.1% to 68.9% 

Senate 

Cynthia Mendes: Senate District 18 - East Providence & Pawtucket. Leading Senate Finance Chair Bill Conley 977 to 450 - 68.5% to 31.5%

Jeanine Calkin: Senate District 30 - Warwick. Leading incumbent Mark McKenney 617 to 582 - 51.5% to 48.5%

Jennifer Douglas: No primary.

Jennifer Rourke: Senate District 29 - Warwick. Trailing incumbent Mike McCaffrey 775 to 980 - 44.2% to 55.8% 

Jonatha Acosta: Senate District 16 - Central Falls, Pawtucket. Leading incumbent Elizabeth Crowley 594 to 497 - 47.7% to 39.9%.  Leslie Estrada has 155 votes - 12.4%

Kendra Anderson: Senate District 31 - Warwick Cranston. Leading four-way race open seat with 488 votes -  28.2%. Brian Dunckly has 453 votes for 26.2%

Lenny Cioe: Senate District 4 — Providence, North Providence.  Trailing Senate President Dominick Ruggerio 1097 to 1294 - 45.9% to 54.1%

Maggie Kain: Senate District 37 — Block Island, South Kingstown. Trailing incumbent Sue Sosnowski 802 to 1015 - 44.1% to 55.9%

Melanie Dupont: Senate District 22 — Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston. Trailing incumbent Stephen Archambault 522 to 822 - 38.8% to 61.2%

Tiara Mack: Senate District 6 — Providence. Leading incumbent Harold Metts 911 to 641 (58.7% to 41.3%)